This is an absolutely amazing discovery considering the perfect timing of it, Sunday, December 21st and the beginning of Hanukkah, or Feast of Dedication mentioned in John's Gospel 10:22. Consider the circumstances and symbolism of the discovery. The traditional Jewish Hanukkah gift to God's Jewish children is coins or "gelt", and the gift, which is Jesus himself,(John 3:16) came from the 'City of David'(Luke 2:11) where the coins were found, and Jesus 'bears the cross', found on the coins. The coins, being 1,400 years old have been hidden away, or veiled,"in the walls around Jerusalem" all of these years, as has been Jesus from the Jewish people and nation as a whole.(Romans 11:25) It is now time for the veil to be removed for those who have ears to hear and eyes to discern. Praise God! The CNN story follows:
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Some Israeli archaeologists are having a particularly happy Hanukkah.
Archaeologists found a hoard of gold coins from the 7th century in Jerusalem on Sunday.
The Israel Antiquities Authority reported a thrilling find Sunday -- the discovery of 264 ancient gold coins in Jerusalem National Park.
The coins were minted during the early 7th century.
"This is one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever discovered in Jerusalem -- certainly the largest and most important of its period," said Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets, who are directing the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Researchers discovered the coins at the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which started at sunset on Sunday.
One of the customs of the holiday is to give "gelt", or coins, to children, and the archaeologists are referring to the find as "Hanukkah money."
The 1,400 year old coins were found in the Giv'atu car park in the City of David in the walls around Jerusalem National Park, a site that has yielded other finds, including a well-preserved gold earring with pearls and precious stones.
They were in a collapsed building that dates back to the 7th century, the end of the Byzantine period. The coins bear a likeness of Heraclius, who was the Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641.
The authority said that while different coins had been minted during this emperor's reign, the coins found at the site represent "one well-known type."
In that style, the emperor is clad with military garb and is holding a cross in his right hand. One the othr side, there is the sign of the cross.
Authorities said the excavation of the building where the hoard was discovered is in its early stages. They are attempting to learn about the building and its owner and the circumstances of its destruction.
"Since no pottery vessel was discovered adjacent to the hoard, we can assume that it was concealed inside a hidden niche in one of the walls of the building. It seems that with its collapse, the coins piled up there among the building debris," Ben-Ami and Tchekhanovets said.
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Some Israeli archaeologists are having a particularly happy Hanukkah.
Archaeologists found a hoard of gold coins from the 7th century in Jerusalem on Sunday.
The Israel Antiquities Authority reported a thrilling find Sunday -- the discovery of 264 ancient gold coins in Jerusalem National Park.
The coins were minted during the early 7th century.
"This is one of the largest and most impressive coin hoards ever discovered in Jerusalem -- certainly the largest and most important of its period," said Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets, who are directing the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Researchers discovered the coins at the beginning of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which started at sunset on Sunday.
One of the customs of the holiday is to give "gelt", or coins, to children, and the archaeologists are referring to the find as "Hanukkah money."
The 1,400 year old coins were found in the Giv'atu car park in the City of David in the walls around Jerusalem National Park, a site that has yielded other finds, including a well-preserved gold earring with pearls and precious stones.
They were in a collapsed building that dates back to the 7th century, the end of the Byzantine period. The coins bear a likeness of Heraclius, who was the Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641.
The authority said that while different coins had been minted during this emperor's reign, the coins found at the site represent "one well-known type."
In that style, the emperor is clad with military garb and is holding a cross in his right hand. One the othr side, there is the sign of the cross.
Authorities said the excavation of the building where the hoard was discovered is in its early stages. They are attempting to learn about the building and its owner and the circumstances of its destruction.
"Since no pottery vessel was discovered adjacent to the hoard, we can assume that it was concealed inside a hidden niche in one of the walls of the building. It seems that with its collapse, the coins piled up there among the building debris," Ben-Ami and Tchekhanovets said.
Learn more about Hanukkah here
Tags: Gold Coins, Hanukkah, City of David, Jerusalem, Israel, Biblical Archaeology
Tags: Gold Coins, Hanukkah, City of David, Jerusalem, Israel, Biblical Archaeology
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